Great to be back

22 August 2013

rovers.co.uk

Adam Henley is pleased to be finally on the road to recovery after his injury troubles.

The Welsh Under-21 international hasn't featured for the first team since picking up a serious hamstring injury back in March, but after three outings for the development squad, the defender is well on his way to returning.

Speaking after playing 80 minutes for the Under-21s in their win over Reading on Monday evening, Henley said: "It was great, it has been months and months of hard work, early mornings getting fit, so it is good to finally get out on the pitch and get back to what I love to do.

"It was hard, it was a really bad hamstring tear and it has taken me a while to get back and all over pre-season getting fit.

"I think in a way it has been a good thing to have the summer break and pre-season to add to my recovery time, so it is great to be getting back now and I just want to get fit and be able to be selected.

"I've played 45, 60 and now I've played 80 minutes so hopefully I'll play 90 minutes next week maybe and see how I go on from there."

The full back admits there were times when he wanted to get back out there and play, but understands that the physios have to ensure that he only returns when ready.

"It has obviously been a slow process," Henley told Rovers Player. "I've done a lot of work over pre-season and I've seen a lot of progress.

"They are holding me back and they are doing the right things in easing me in slowly, so hopefully it will put me in good stead so I'll never do it again.

"My target is to get back into the first team, I played quite a few games last year and I was really unlucky with my injuries and I'm just hoping to get back to that stage now."

The Under-21s are back in action next Monday night when they face Sunderland at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground. The development squad's next home game is at Leigh Sports Village on Friday 30th August against Arsenal.